Carlin remarks cast a chill on COD

Thursday evening, April 19, College of DuPage Board Chairman David Carlin changed the tone of negotiations and cast a chill on the working relationships at the college. In open session, he accused the faculty of coercing students to support the faculty during negotiations. He accused us of threatening their grades if the students did not turn out to support us or write letters of support to the trustees.

This is an egregious charge. There are few accusations in academia that are more demeaning to our integrity. I find the statement to be far more insulting than the many other negative public statements made by the administration during this negotiation process.

More importantly, this is insulting to the students. To suggest they would not speak up about their education unless coerced, defies description. One of the core educational tenets at COD is critical thinking. Does the board think the students are not capable of thinking and reaching a conclusion on their own?

The majority of the students at COD are adults and many are taxpayers. Student tuition covers 47 percent of the college’s budget. They should speak up. Everyone should have a voice, and should be encouraged to speak about a lot issues at COD. In the end, this statement has cast a serious shadow of doubt over College of DuPage. Chairman Carlin has discredited the independent thinking of the students. He has impugned our professional and personal reputations. He has damaged the reputation of the college. When board chairman speaks on the record, while chairing the meeting, he speaks for the board. Is this the board’s view of the faculty? I join Chairman Carlin in calling for the public to speak up about the leadership of College of DuPage.

Glenn Hansen

Glen Ellyn

President, College of DuPage Faculty Association